Community Calendar

Mycology Outside is an educational mushroom camp/retreat organized by North Spore that brings experts in mushroom related topics such as outdoor cultivation, lab work, forest management, composting, foraging and more to The Ecology School for an event that truly stands apart. Seriously, the educators and diversity of topics is fantastic. For a full weekend, folks learn and play in a gorgeous and intimate setting that feels very different from anything else. The event has plenty of workshops to choose from so there are options for beginners and experts alike. Excellent lodging and meals are included and if you ever want to step away from the group, a kayak on the Saco River awaits.

Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB) is pleased to offer an upcoming mushroom walk as part of their 2025 Outside Summer Series. On September 5th join Michaeline Mulvey, President of the Maine Mycological Association as she leads this walk on wooded property along the Kennebec River in Gardiner.

Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground, on soil, or on its food source. The generic or stereotypical mushroom has at minimum a stalk and cap with gills or sponge beneath it that releases spores. While the fruiting body of a mushroom is above ground, most of it is below ground in a complex web (the original worldwide web!) known as mycelium.

Participants should dress appropriately for roaming around in the woods and bring a basket, knife and some small paper or wax paper bags. If you have specimens from home you would like help identifying you are welcome to bring samples. This has been an exceptionally dry summer so it will be interesting to see what species have persevered and discuss what it takes to do so.

The FOMB Summer Outside! Series is the warm weather counterpart to FOMB’s popular Winter Speaker Series and this is the last outing of 2025. FOMB’s 29th annual Winter Speaker Series begins October 8th via Zoom and features former Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlop (now Maine’s Auditor) and current Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows discussing the upcoming ballot initiative with a program entitled Voter ID: Solving No Problem.

Pre-registration is required for FOMB outings. Register for this walk with and get directions from Ed Friedman at 666-3372.

The full FOMB Summer & Winter series schedules and details are on the web at: www.friendsofmerrymeetingbay.org

For more information about FOMB’s programs call Ed Friedman at 666-3372.

Join us for (one hour) Trivia in the brewhouse with our friend Megh. The questions will commence every Friday starting promptly at 6 pm. We recommend arriving early to get settled as missed questions are not repeated. Tickets are free but reservations are strongly recommended as we've been packed recently! Walk-ins are not guaranteed a seat, but we'll absolutely do our best to squeeze you in, if we can. If you are making a reservation for your team, please account for all the members of your team. Groups can be up to six players. Bite Into Maine will be here for all of your tasty dinner or snacking needs. As always we’ll have delicious beer, wine, cider, and n/a bevs flowing. We can’t wait to see you and your fantastic team names!

FYI, as our brewhouse is a food production space, sadly dogs must stay on our covered patio.

The prizes are:
First - $75 gift card
Second - Fun merch pack
Third - Rotating "prize pack"

Please join us for the much-awaited “Strut for Strays” timed 5k run event on September 6, 2025 at Titcomb Mountain – dogs are very welcome! Lace up your running shoes for a competitive race or you can take a nice, leisurely stroll along the trail. Participants will embark on a heartwarming journey to support our furry friends in need! Together, we will make a difference in the lives of shelter animals who are seeking their forever homes.
Whether you are a seasoned runner or just simply enjoy a pleasant walk, this event welcomes all animal lovers, and you are welcome to bring your dogs to strut beside you! By participating in Strut for Strays, you will be advocating for the well-being of our beloved strays, and every stride you take will pave the way for a brighter future for them.
Make sure to mark your calendars, spread the word, and prepare for a super fun-filled day of compassion, camaraderie, and community spirit. Let’s come together on September 6, 2025 and Strut for Strays in the name of love and kindness!
Happy trails! We can’t wait to see you at Titcomb Mountain!

Hike to one of Acadia’s iconic summits AND help Acadia National Park’s efforts to restore native vegetation!

Acadia National Park, in collaboration with Friends of Acadia and Schoodic Institute, invites tenacious hikers to bring bags of soil to the summits of Penobscot and Sargent Mountains. You’ll get to choose how much soil you’ll carry – carrying as little as five pounds (about the size of a large freezer ziplock bag) is a huge help! This soil is integral to the ongoing summit restoration efforts in Acadia National Park.

Giant book sale. . Saturday's Fall Festival will also include
a DJ, jewelry sale, apples and crafts.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walks provide an opportunity for communities to walk together toward a world without suicide. By participating, you are joining our lifesaving effort to show others that they are not alone and that prevention is possible through education, advocacy, and support. Together, we can create a better understanding of mental health and how to be there for each other, including ourselves, when someone is struggling.

Join us in Fort Kent on September 6th to connect and heal with others while raising awareness and funds for suicide prevention.

Register, form a team, or donate today at www.afsp.org/sjv!

Georges River Land Trust invites you to experience Apples Jubilee! This day of apple-centric celebration will take place on Saturday, September 6th and include art-making, local tree history, cider pressing and tasting, a pie sale, and more at the beautiful Langlais Art Preserve. At the heart of this celebration will be the return of Apple Magic, an immersive, site-specific performance and installation by Rockland-based artist Nate Luce.

This event is free and open to all ages! Learn more and RSVP at georgesriver.org/events to let us know you're coming!

Incorporating video, painting, embroidery, monologue, and music, Apple Magic can be experienced through 20-minute guided tours on Saturday, September 6 beginning every hour at the top of the hour from 10am-4pm.

Apple-themed art projects will be offered in the Preserve’s Teaching Studio from 10am-4pm.

John Bunker, founder of the Maine Heritage Orchard in Unity, will present about the history and biology of apple trees in the Midcoast area starting at 1:30pm. Cider pressing demos will take place from 1pm-4pm. Rocky Ground Cider will provide tastings from 4pm-6pm. Pie will be available for sale to benefit the land trust all day!

Mycology Outside is an educational mushroom camp/retreat organized by North Spore that brings experts in mushroom related topics such as outdoor cultivation, lab work, forest management, composting, foraging and more to The Ecology School for an event that truly stands apart. Seriously, the educators and diversity of topics is fantastic. For a full weekend, folks learn and play in a gorgeous and intimate setting that feels very different from anything else. The event has plenty of workshops to choose from so there are options for beginners and experts alike. Excellent lodging and meals are included and if you ever want to step away from the group, a kayak on the Saco River awaits.

Fort Gorges, an abandoned Civil War-era granite fort surrounded by water, is one of the most historic and fascinating spots in Casco Bay – and also happens to be an ideal location for yoga.

On this trip, you’ll paddle from East End Beach, across Portland harbor, to tiny Hog Island Ledge, where Fort Gorges resides. You’ll land on a beach by the fort’s entrance and explore its elegant granite halls and dark passageways. Make sure you check out the gorgeous view of the Portland skyline from the rooftop! Once you’re done exploring, your yoga class will begin in the grassy, calm parade grounds of the fort, and you’ll stretch, strengthen and rejuvenate your body before paddling back to East End Beach.

Both the kayaking portion of this trip and the yoga class are suitable for all ages & abilities.

All paddling gear (life jacket, paddle, dry bag, etc) is included, but yoga mats are NOT, so please bring your own mat.

Please keep in mind that Fort Gorges is a historical structure that is not currently maintained, so there are no bathroom facilities and there are unlit areas that require caution when exploring.